Socks and Prayer

(Another great perspective from guestblogger Leanne. It'll change the way you do laundry!)

I recently read in a book something I thought was worth repeating. I found as I read this book, it was all about perspective. How I see my life, the daily chores and situations, is really what can make or break my attitude. Not only can it change my attitude, but it can actually change lives.

What do I mean? Well, it’s about prayer.

As I sit in front of a load of laundry piled high, I manage to breathe a heavy sigh. I grab the first pair of jeans, fold them and plop them on the bed. Usually, I rush to get this desperately boring chore finished so I can move on to something else. Something more fun, like washing dishes. No, not fun, just next on my list.

Today is different. Today I found out that socks and prayer can go hand in hand.
This time as I fold my husband’s socks I lift up a prayer that the Lord would lead him and guide him throughout his day. That He would be His strength and protector. Next I grabbed his jeans and remembered the Lord promised to provide for us and was thankful my husband had a job to go to today. I also smiled as I thanked God for the amazing man that wears those jeans and looks so good in them!

Soon I held in my hands a smaller pair of socks. I knew they belonged to one of my boys because the writing was in green. They all wear different colors so I know whose is whose! I prayed for this little life that will grow to be a strong man someday. I prayed that God would take him places in his walk that only God could dream up.

I prayed for God’s protection over my next child who wears the socks with blue writing. Reminded of how many paths there are to choose from in life, I asked the Lord that His Spirit would lead him only into paths of righteousness and that he would walk with Jesus every day of his life.

Then came the tiny little socks. My little guy: such a sweet and talented boy. I talked to God about what His plans for his life might be. I know he will walk down many roads and will need the Lord to show him where to go next. I prayed for wisdom to raise him and for his feet to take him places where he can show God’s love to the lost, however God chose to do that.

My daughter rarely wears socks, but today I folded a pair that belonged to her. No words explain a mother’s heart towards her daughter. It’s almost a silent prayer that only God can hear and understand. I wipe a tear as I see her future so bright and laid out before her. Her musical talent will take her many places and her sweet spirit will cause her to bless so many. I prayed for God’s continued love and protection and grace on her life. That as she walks through life as a teenager and one day, a woman, she will always find her hope in Christ.

Yes, each little sock and pair of jeans reminded me of the precious lives that make up my family. Now when I fold, I pray. That is how lives are changed when I do laundry.

Simple Shabby Cheap!

(Did you notice "cheap" in the title? Not "chic?" Yes, these items are cheap, but they are treasures!)

If you were to walk through my house, you would discover there are a LOT of shabby chic items. You know, sanded down items that look as though they are a million years old because they are so worn in. It's not so much that I LOVE shabby chic (I do like the look, but I like a lot of different styles). I actually sand things down on purpose because I have two kids under the age of 5 and when they scrach, dent, and ding up furniture, it only adds to the appeal of the piece. Goodness, kids are rough on furniture! That is also why we haven't bought a new piece since our oldest was born. Pretty much every piece of furniture we've acquired in the past 5 years has either been a hand-me-down, a garage sale item, or from a thrift store! I've just Kathy-ized them. Here are a few of the treasures that I have throughout our home:

This was an ugly $5 cabinet my Dad bought for me from a garage sale because he knew I was looking for something to put out on my patio to store stuff in. I thought it was a hopeless piece. I thought I'd experiment using a combination wax, paint, and my paint scraper to see what kind of catastrophe I could create. I must admit, I was quite pleased with this catastrophe. And it is useful for keeping the patio cleaned up (most of the time...)

We also managed to get a wine barrel (when my sister-in-law worked for a local winery) for our patio and set it up as somewhat of a bistro table. My husband carved out a "cork" for it. (I happen to love those little wooden fishermen/captains - you know, like that guy on the Wharf in Monterey.)

Jayne's room has a lot of shabby chic - it's easy to put white in her room. This toy box was purchased at a garage sale for $5. I put a coat of white on it and then scratched it up. Bet you can't tell which scratches are mine and which are hers?
The blanket is a rag quilt made by a very talented friend of mine - she made one for Lincoln, too. They are favorites of my kids. The pink "tutued" hippo was one of Jayne's finds at a garage sale.
This bookshelf was sitting outside a home in my neighborhood with a "free" sign on it. I spotted it while taking the kids for a walk. My husband was gracious enough to get in the truck and pick it up for me as soon as I got home from the walk! I didn't even have to paint it. It might just be one of my favorite pieces.

And her cute little rocking chair - I think I stole this from my parents' shop. Well, I think I probably got permission.

Can't leave Lincoln out: his is a chair given to me by a neighbor that I "re-upholstered." (I put that in the quotes to mean that "I tried my very best to recover this stinkin' chair in a way that people would look at it and not know that I used 150 staples and had to recut the material 4 or 5 times to make it work.") Again, if you don't look too closely, it is really cute!!
Oh - I almost forgot about this little one. I think this might actually be my favorite. Although no one has ever complimented me on it. Hmmm....maybe I need to rethink my taste in decor?!

Back to the backyard: My dad made some birdhouses that I have put in the yard (although I have not seen any birds in them). This particular birdhouse is in a potted plant holder turned upside down. The giant spoon on the wall was a treasure from the local antique mall (with the helpful eyes of my Mom - she is the antique Queen!)

Alas, there will be no more homemade birdhouses from my Dad, but a dear friend of mine paints beautiful birdhouses that her father makes. Perhaps soon you will see my yard adorned with a birdhouse with touches of "Janelle" on it!

Sometimes I get frustrated looking around my house and seeing all these leftovers. However, I am quickly reminded that all of these pieces have my personal touch. My frustration quickly turns to pride as I realize that I am using the gifts that God has given me to turn my house into our home. Besides, my children will only be young once and I'd rather enjoy them than worry about my furniture all the time!

Missing Pieces by Leanne

Our first guest blogger is my sister-in-law, Leanne, who has been blessed with a great talent for writing. She can take even the smallest pieces of life and find an amazing application from God for our own lives! She gladly passed on a few devotionals for me to share with you. Look for more to come in the future! Here is her first (of many, hopefully!!) Thanks for sharing your gift, Leanne!!

“Missing Pieces”



“Mom,can you help me find my missing Lego piece” “Mom, I lost my Iron Man guy's helmet?” “Mom, have you seen my make-up bag?” “Honey, I only have one white sock in my drawer, can you find me the other one?” “Hey mom, how come I can't find my school book?”
Did I just scream out loud or was it in my head?

Does this sound familiar to anyone else? I feel as though I am constantly looking for something for someone! What they all don't realize is, I have to do the exact same thing they would have to do...look! You simply lift up the couch cushions, move the pile of books and look under it. Search the car or the pile of laundry in the laundry basket. Just standing in the same spot and spinning in circles will not help you find what you are looking for! Why does it seem like only I know this?

Well since I am called “Mom” I have found that my days are filled with meeting every one else's needs and desires. Is it always fun? No! Is it worth it? Yes!

When Jesus was here on the earth He often dealt with the same kinds of things. Everyone needed a healing touch, everyone needed prayer, everyone needed food or money. Everyone had a question or a complaint! Much like motherhood. Though Jesus had the power to just speak a word and all would fall into place (if only I had that power!) He usually gave us the example of hard work. He actually showed us how to live and meet the needs of others. He took the time to touch and heal and explain and train. It took much of his time and He took breaks to go and pray and seek the Father. He rested. He worked hard and never complained, but He knew the job that needed to be done and He did it with His whole heart: his heart of love and compassion.

“Oh Jesus, help me see the needs and meet them the best that I can. Help me call out to you for help and rest when I am tired. Help me to seek your will and not mine and see the little things with eternal eyes. Bring to remembrance your desire to find and restore the missing pieces in each and every heart and life.” amen.